Mandeville, Manchester — Organisers say age was not a deterrent for participants in The Carnegie Foundation for Cancer Research Walkathon, held last month.

A news release said walkers ranged in age from three years to over 70. They included survivors of more than 10 types of cancers, while others walked in honour of family or friends who succumbed to the disease.

The two youngest walkers were Alva Edie Jr and Ava-Jade Edie (brother and sister) five and three-years-old, respectively who, along with their father, walked in honour of their uncle who was recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The youngsters completed the course and received the top two medals in the Under 10 Category.

This event is part of the ongoing fund-raising efforts of the foundation to help Northern Caribbean University (NCU) purchase equipment to continue their cancer research.

Individuals journeyed from the USA and Canada to join with the walkers from several parishes around the island. First-place winner of the walkathon was Phillip Williams of NCU.

The release said The Carnegie Foundation has, for the past nine years, partnered with NCU. The wider medical community of Manchester has also benefited from the foundation’s generosity and those of its partners, through gifts of equipment and materials to the Mandeville Regional Hospital, the Percy Junor Hospital, health centres, and other government-run facilities, and in some instances individuals.

The latest donation to the Mandeville hospital was a Zoll defibrillator, which was assigned by the hospital administration to the Oncology Department.

Noting that cancer is a leading cause of death among Jamaicans, the release said The Carnegie Foundation is encouraging “all persons to be proactive as regards their health”.

Each walkathon honours someone battling the disease, or someone who recently succumbed to the ravages of cancer. The 2017 honoree is Errol “Bunny” Peart (1962-2016).

“The fund-raising to find treatment and possible cures for various cancers is ongoing,” the release said.

Individuals and organisations willing to contribute can donate to account number 854162837 at any National Commercial Bank. A receipt for Income tax purposes will be provided to those donating to the foundation. Cheques should be made payable to: The Carnegie Foundation for Cancer Research, c/o Northern Caribbean University PO, Mandeville, Jamaica.